• Meridian Township Police

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - During the September 29, 2016 Township Board meeting there was a motion to approve the 2017 recommended budget.

Listed below are some of the items or included costs for 2017:
- Okemos Library parking lot repair
- Motorpool fund balance
- Pension plans
- Thermal imaging camera (Fire Department)
- 50% turnout gear for Police Department (including bulletproof vests and body warn cameras)

During the meeting, Meridian Township Trustee John Veenstra raised the question as to why replacement body cameras are serving as a necessity in the 2017 budget.

Although replacing the cameras will cost the Township approximately $40,000, Assistant Police Chief Ken Plaga explains the importance of doing so.

"They [body cameras] won't turn on when the switch is on, they don't turn off when the switch is turned off…we go to a house or to a situation and they aren't recording." When Meridian Township received body cameras 2 years ago from Homeland Security, it was the first run and they came at no cost to the Township," said Plaga.

After a few hours of careful deliberation, the budget was approved.